I feel a bit more optimistic after that (thoughts on game)

Not with how well we played, although we were pretty good, but the way we played. For a start we played a straight up 4-4-2

Flinders

Tonge Reid Carbon Austin

Shuker Kay McPhail Williams

Nardiello Hayes

No fancy systems, everyone knowing what they’re supposed to be doing, and even I could understand it. And we defended from the front. The number of times we won the ball in the opponents half was a pleasure to see. Doesn’t matter if you have a weak defence if your midfield and forwards chase down like that. And the midfield actually looked to support the forwards. I know it’s hard to believe, but the Barnsley midfield did just that. I kid you not. Whenever a wide player had the ball there was Kay taking up an attacking position alongside Nardiello and Hayes. Unbelievable as it may seem he even broke beyond the forwards just like Glavin used to do. We never found him with the ball like, but still.

Robbie Williams scored with a good header from a Mcphail corner after 2 minutes and for the next 20 minutes Hull couldn’t get the ball off us. McPhail and Kay look an excellent partnership in centre midfield and they ran the show. Couple of good efforts from McPhail and Nardi from the edge of the area but no clear-cut chances. Hull gradually got back into it but never really troubled us.

Second half was a bit more even and Hull spurned a great chance after a minute or so, but caused us few other problems. We regrouped and began to look the better side again. Mcphail was replaced by Burns after about quarter of an hour of the second half and with 20 minutes to go Vaughan, Wroe and Conlon replaced Reid, Carbon and Nardiello with Kay dropping back into defence to partner Vaughan and Wroe taking Kay’s place in central midfield. The second goal came when Wroe crossed for Conlon who was bundled over by a defender straight into their ‘keeper and as all three lay prostrate on the ground Robbie Williams coolly tucked home his second of the game and his umpteenth of preseason. I hope he hasn’t used up his quota for the coming season.

Motm? They all played well and Williams must be in with a shout after his 2 goals, but I was most impressed with Kay who won the ball effectively, played some lovely passes with both feet and always looked to support the strikers.

It was only a friendly, but we looked a decent side and were well worth the victory. Looking forward to the Swindon game. More of the same please.

 

I await Redstars thoughts

 

RW won every ball today he is the new star

also conlon and hayes would work well as our front two. he showed his strength well today did big baz

 

RE: RW won every ball today he is the new star

Thanks for the report(blaze)

 

Now I'm very scared

Cos I agree with every word.

 

Dint see the game....but its nice to hear that Kay is back in peoples good books

Like I said...........best midfielder we've got..........but he aint a central defender
(Y) (Y) (Y)

 

Totally agree.

Kay looked much more like the player we all know he can be. Top marks to him tonight.

 

Clean sheet again n'all.
Not getting too optimistic though - yet.
Crikey a defence that isn't leaking goals - yet!
Tonge and Austin need to improve their 'distribution'.
Kay must get dizzy from having to play in so many positions - did well though.
Conlon is a (powder) puff.
Carbon looked good - if he stays fit and interested we might just have a reasonable defence.
Flinders quick to come out of his 'box'.
Would have been a better test if Hull had played their strongest side.
Robbie Williams a revelation in his 'new' position. Excellent in the air, won plenty of the ball in the opposition half, hit some good crosses - pity he's not a yard or two quicker.
If the defence can continue to improve and keep more clean sheets, we won't be too far away by next May.
Do you think Ritchie has settled on his first choice midfield yet?

 

The only point I disagree on

is that if when you say Hull spurned a great chance early in the second half, if you mean the one I think you mean, you are doing Flinders an injustice.  It was a brave and very adept block with his legs outside his area.

 

I think the team that started tonight will start against Swindon

I don't think Hassell will be fit enough after missing so much preseason training, while the only positions in question are whether he plays Williams or Jarman in the left midfield spot (Williams to left back if he plays Jarman) and whether it's Kay and Burns or Kay and McPhail in midfield. imho and all that.

 

Not that one

Flinders did great with that. The one where the guy looked offside and hit it over the bar.

 

RE: I think the team that started tonight will start against Swindon

just to put you on the spot then - out of the names you mentioned, which would you start with? just interested like.

 

Anyone mildly worried that...

...outside our choice first 11 we lack any kind of strength in depth?

 

I think I'd go with how we started tonight

Subs
Colgan
Hassell (if approaching fitness, if not Vaughan)
Burns
Jarman or Wroe
Conlon

Who would you go for?

 

RE: Anyone mildly worried that...

The fact that Hassell, Vaughan, Burns, Kell, Howard, Conlon, Wroe, Jarman and Joynes didn't start the match....

Means I'm not worried.

 

RE: I think I'd go with how we started tonight

Not certain.
Flinders in goal - not frightened to cover his area and very quick off his line.
Not sure about Austin at left back - passing poor when forced to play it on his left. But, Robbie Williams played very well in his more forward role - so who else to slot in at LB?
I like Tonge (oh yes!! - oops sorry wrong Forum!!) and would like to see him have a run in the side, but his distribution too (tonight) was a little wayward. Hassel probably shades it then.
Carbon and Reid - ok and looked reasonably comfortable tonight. But, not enough 'steel' when the big bruisers come calling (time for Vaughan then).
Midfield - biggest quandary. McPhail has quality, but in the hurly burly of Div 1 it is sometimes a luxury (squad rotation here then). Shuker and Kay would get my vote along with Burns/McPhail (the rotation bit) and R.Williams
Up front - Nardiello willl score goals and should be in the starting 11. Hayes, first time I've seen him, will probably start as first choice striker.
Conlon - biggest grouse here is his lack of 'aggression' - too nice by far. But a good option to have on the bench.

Subs: Colgan; Tonge; Burns/McPhail; Vaughan; Conlon

And yet to see Howard and Kell.

 

Glad to see him bak in midfield, hopefully he regain that form that won him player of the year. think he shud start there in season 2. enjoyed watchin williams aswell, allover the pitch gud going forward and kept tracking bak aswell.